The pilot had taken off from Redhill Aerodrome, bound for Elstree in Hertfordshire, but his Agusta A-109E crashed into the crane at around 8am after he asked to be diverted because of fog.

Mr Amadeus, a colleague and friend to Mr Barnes for 15 years, said he was "different to most pilots", adding: "He was so much more sociable and much more of a character.

"Pete Barnes was a people person and he was always full of life. I was impressed by his enthusiasm and character.

"He was always fun to spend time with, we had lots of happy times.

"He was somebody I enjoyed being with very much, he was the person I trusted and would turn to for advice."

Mr Barnes, who lived near Reading with his partner and two children, was working as a ski instructor in the French Alps when he first decided he wanted to fly helicopters.

Mr Amadeus said: "He told me one day he saw a helicopter go past and thought he would like to be a helicopter pilot.

"He took to flying in a huge way."

Described as one of the most experienced helicopter pilots in the country, Mr Barnes had clocked up more than 10,000 flying hours over his career, working not only for the executive charter business but also on radio station traffic reporting and flying air ambulance helicopters.